Local Produce On Display At The Farmers’ Market
Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
May 15, 2012 (SKNIS)
The Ministry of Agriculture is strengthening the legal knowledge base of the Federation’s small farmers in a series of important meetings this week.
In a three part forum dubbed “Agriculture and the Law,” authorities in the Agricultural Sector will promote discussions on the recently enacted Animals (National and International Movement and Prescribed Diseases Prevention) Act, 2012 and the Agricultural Produce and Livestock (Registration of Vendors) Act, 2012.
Assistant Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture Ms. Shez Dore-Tyson said the main purpose of this series of meetings is to empower farmers.
“The main purpose of this series of meetings is to ensure that farmers are empowered,” said Ms. Dore-Tyson, “that they know the law, they know what their rights are, they know where to go, who to go to, if they are having a problem.”
Experts from the Ministry of Agriculture as well as the legal fraternity are slated to be on hand to guide the discussions.
“The Ministry has undertaken to have this series of meetings to ensure that all farmers in all areas of the island are aware of their rights with regards to these two pieces of legislation” said Ms. Dore-Tyson. “We have experts who are going to be at the forums to break it down so that all farmers can understand and appreciate the move that Government is making in terms of empowering them.”
Small farmers, supermarket and shop owners, and members of the general public are invited to join the discussions on Tuesday May 15, at the Wesley Methodist Church Hall on Victoria Road, Basseterre, on Wednesday May 16, at the St. Paul’s Community Center and on Thursday May 17, at the Cayon Community Center. All meetings begin at 6:00 p.m.